Page 16 of Soaring and Saucy

“I don’t want to be married to her or anyone.”

“Then why did you have me do the ceremony last night?”

“So I could get laid.”

“I thought you loved her?”

“Do we even know each other, Pasteur?” Lance scoffed painfully and saw someone walk past the open doorway, looking in and pointing. That was odd. “Since when have I ever professed to be in love with someone? Love is a bunch of drivel, and we both know it.”

“Actually, I do believe in love – and fidelity,” Pasteur began just as another person walked past the doorway, looking in. “That was weird.”

“I was just thinking that too,” Lance admitted. “Are we supposed to be on deck or something?” Shellac and Ohio had finally stopped laughing, looking as concerned, and Lance was starting to get.

Something was up and just as another set of people walked past, looking into their berthing, Ohio piped up.

“Hey! Eyes to yourself unless you are looking for someone in specific.”

Only to see both faces look at Lance, before rolling their eyes and walking away. All three men’s heads swiveled at that moment, looking at him.

“What did you do?”

“More than you did,” Lance piped up, mouthing immediately. “Several times in fact…”

“With your wife,” Pasteur reminded him pointedly, causing Lance’s smug grin to fade quickly as he began to glower at the other man. “I mailed it – you are married. Get over it, or go home and get it yourself.”

“I don’t know where she lives,” he mumbled, mortified at the realization… especially when all three men gawked at him. Ohio burst out laughing first as Pasteur shook his head slowly, folding his arms across his chest in disapproval. Shellac dug out his wallet and handed Ohio a twenty-dollar bill, who immediately kissed the paper, shoving it in his pocket.

“Thank you, buddy.”

“I told you I’d pay up.”

“I cannot believe you bet on me…”

“I cannot believe you married a perfect stranger to sleep with her.”

“Those were her rules, not mine!”

“Well, you are married, and it’s a done deal. The only way you are getting out of this one is if… WHAT ARE THEY LOOKING AT?” Pasteur snapped hotly, moving toward the doorway and craning his neck into the hallway. “Why are you all gathering down here and being nosy.”

“Where’s Trophy? He’s on the news.”

“DO WHAT?” they said in unison – including Lance, who immediately shoved out the door toward the lounge area.

They had a small lounge that served almost as a rec room. There were board games, magazines, puzzles, video games, and a large television where they could watch movies, and as he launched into the room, he stopped.

And it seems that when the fleet comes to visit, they mean business. There are reunions aplenty – including this one. Just look at this sweet image that was sent into the new station by an observer. Apparently, this young man…

“She called you a young man, ya’ old fart.”

“Shut up!” Lance snarled, trying to listen as the two news anchors talked about the photo of him and Stephanie kissing at the bar, there, plastered in the corner of the screen. The bar racing across the bottom of the screen was calling the photograph the newest ‘welcome home kiss’ for Time Magazine.

Found true love and married his girlfriend in an impromptu ceremony held by Louis ‘Pasteur’ Gagne of Louisiana – who is an ordained minister.

Well, that’s certainly interesting – a pilot and a minister?

Talk about a hobby, huh, Mark? As I was saying, the happy couple in question is Lieutenant Lance ‘Trophy’ Cavanaugh, also from Louisiana, and Miss Stephanie Wood, from Louisville, Kentucky. Lieutenant Cavanaugh is stationed upon the carrier docked in the harbor until nine a.m. tomorrow when it departs on its way back to Mayport, Florida…

“Trophy! You’re famous, dude!”

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